Dr. Shawn Salmon is the Director of Jazz Studies and head of the guitar studio for the Music Department at Saint Xavier University in Chicago, IL..
Dr. Salmon is the director of the SXU Jazz Ensemble and Combos as well as the SXU Guitar Ensemble. In addition to directing, Dr. Salmon teaches courses in jazz history,
jazz improvisation, group guitar class, applied studio guitar lessons, Jazz History, and Rock and Roll Appreciation. At SXU Dr. Salmon started the SXU Music Department's first B.M. in Music Performance with a Jazz Emphasis. Shawn Salmon
also started the SXU Jazz Combo Festival, SXU-Southside Summer Jazz Camp, SXU Jazz Guitar Workshop Day,
and the ILMEA Jazz-Prep Day at Saint Xavier University.

Shawn performs regularly with his own trio as well with various jazz, rock, and blues groups in and around Chicago. Shawn has
performed at such Chicago venues The Jazz Showcase, The Green Mill, The Park West, Navy Pier, Pete Miller's Steak House, The High-Hat Club, Reggies, The Hot House, and Hard Rock Cafe.

Dr. Salmon maintains a busy schedule as a guest clinician and adjudicator. Shawn has presented at the 2010 College Music Society's National Conference in Minneapolis,
the 2010 Western Illinois International Guitar Festival, and the 2013 Leeds International Jazz Educators Conference in Leeds, England.

Shawn Salmon is an active composer and arranger and is published with Really Good Music. Inc..
Dr. Salmon has also been published in DownBeat Magazine.
Shawn's composition, Belden Bottom Line, won the 2009 Michael Arenson Award from the University of Delaware for best original big band composition and arrangement.

Dr.Salmon holds a Doctor of Arts degree from Ball State University in Guitar Performance and Theory and Composition. His dissertation focused on examining Charlie Christian's influence on Wes Montgomery's
approach to improvisation. Shawn also received a Masters in Music in Jazz Studies from DePaul University and a B.A. in Jazz Studies from Eastern Illinois University.
Shawn has performed with a range of great jazz artists including Ed Shaughnessy, Buddy DeFranco, Hal Galper, Bobby Watson, Jim Snidero, Jamey Aebersold, and Karrin Allyson.